Usher returns to performing after stepson's death
Usher thanked his friends for their support as he made an emotional return to the stage on Saturday night (11Aug12) for his first performance since the death of his former stepson.
Kile Glover, the 11-year-old son of the singer's ex-wife Tameka Foster, died last month (Jul12) after a jet ski accident in Georgia.
Usher made his first public performance following the tragedy at a
star-studded charity event in New York over the weekend
(11-12Aug12) to raise millions of dollars for the Big Apple's famed
Apollo Theater.
The Yeah! star was among the headline acts during the bash at
businessman Ronald Perelman's luxury estate in East Hampton in aid
of the Harlem venue, and during his set, he appeared to address the
jet ski tragedy.
According to the New York Post's gossip column Page Six, Usher told
the audience, "For all the hard times, you can't do it without your
friends, so I just want to toast a second... Thank you for allowing
me to share this incredible moment with you... Cheers for
tears."
Sir Paul McCartney also made an appearance at the event, and
Jennifer Hudson performed a medley of Whitney Houston's hits.
The gig raised more than $2 million for the famed theatre, which is
credited with helping launch the careers of stars including Ella
Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and James Brown.